Integrated approaches to literacy and skills development: examples of best practice in adult learning programmes

Since the first coronavirus case was reported to the World Health Organization in December 2019, millions of youth and adults around the globe, especially those with low literacy skills, have faced increased challenges to securing meaningful work and safeguarding their livelihoods. A more integrated approach to youth and adult learning and education, combining basic literacy, vocational and life skills, is needed now more than ever. This publication showcases 21 examples of integrated youth and adult learning and education programmes featured in the UNESCO Effective Literacy and Numeracy...  [+] Show more

Since the first coronavirus case was reported to the World Health Organization in December 2019, millions of youth and adults around the globe, especially those with low literacy skills, have faced increased challenges to securing meaningful work and safeguarding their livelihoods. A more integrated approach to youth and adult learning and education, combining basic literacy, vocational and life skills, is needed now more than ever. This publication showcases 21 examples of integrated youth and adult learning and education programmes featured in the UNESCO Effective Literacy and Numeracy Practices Database, also known as LitBase. Implemented in various social, cultural and economic contexts around the world, the programmes featured herein reveal not only the transformative potential that enhancing the quality of youth and adult learning and education can have, but also lay bare the hurdles and potential pathways to consider when planning effective integrated programmes.

Edited excerpt from publication.

The featured programmes from Africa are: Adult Basic Education Programme [Botswana]; Integrated Functional Adult Education [Ethiopia]; Economic Empowerment and Functional Adult Literacy Programme [Kenya]; National Literacy Programme [Namibia]; Integrated Functional Literacy and Technical Training for Farmers [Senegal]; Adult Literacy and Skills Training Programme [South Africa]; Integrated Community-Based Adult Education [United Republic of Tanzania]. Arab States programmes: Literacy, Training and Employment for Women [Algeria]; Learning and Earning in Cairo's Garbage City [Egypt]. Programmes in Asia and the Pacific: Australian Workplace English Language and Literacy Programme [Australia]; Educational and Social Development of Garment Factory Workers [Cambodia]; Pink Phone [Cambodia]; Township Community Learning Centre Service for People with Disabilities [China]; Vocational Skills Development Training and Literacy Equivalency Programme [India]; Literacy and Life Skills for Herder Families [Mongolia]. European programme: Romano Barardo: Romanies, the Gardeners [Slovakia]. Programmes in Latin America and the Caribbean: Ze Peao School Project [Brazil]; Obras Escuela: Literacy for Construction Workers [Colombia]; Basic Literacy and Vocational Training for Young Adults [Haiti]; Workplace Literacy Programme [Jamaica]; Prison Education Programmes for Young People and Adults [Uruguay].